There are rules. There have to be rules. What is cool about writing your own fiction novel is that you can make up the rules.

Shoot, I might have tried creative writing a lot sooner had I known I can make up my own system of rules. In watching a lesson about creating a universe for a story, I was intrigued by this idea that all stories/movies have their own set of rules. The idea is to communicate through events or actions enough to make sure the audience understands the rules.

Movies follow this basic principle, though it might be most evident in action movies like one with Bruce Lee. Lee with his martial arts style of fighting takes on the opponent, perhaps even 5 of them. Rule 1: When he lands a hit, they go down. It is an unspoken rule but is easily seen that when Bruce Lee hits you, you are out of the fight.

Others movies follow the same idea showing the hero weaving through many bad guys easily. The intense moment arrives with the biggest, baddest fighter showing up to oppose our here. SO, the writer breaks the rule. The hero hits him, and the guy smiles back at him. This signifies that the hero is in huge trouble, the toughest fight of the entire story. Perhaps the only fight that he cannot win.

Lots of action movies followed these ideas. A few examples are the following: Jackie Chan gets a lot of comedy from using everything around him to defend from getting hit or knocked down an opponent. The Matrix delivers hundreds of hits that just make the opponent mad. Indiana Jones does not knock many people out. Repeatedly he gets into a fight he cannot win with punches, then finds another way to win. Captain Jack Sparrow never gets hit, except by the ladies that slap him across the face, bringing a reply, “I probably deserved that.” Men in Black has Agent J claim that getting slammed all over the place is how he fights.

The Princess Bride introduced a new twist when the hero is losing the sword fight. He claimed, “I know something that you do not know, I am not left-handed.” Instantly changing hands gained him the advantage.

Interesting thought to ponder what rules I would go by for a movie. Perhaps it was writers that came up with the phrase, “Rules were made to be broken.” And you thought it was mean JimmyBob from down the street that made up that line.

Have a Happy Friday.